USAID/OFDA COAST PROVINCE FLOODS ASSESSMENT

UNCLAS NAIROBI 002360 AIDAC AID/DCHA JBRAUSE DCHA/OFDA FOR CCHAN; ACONVERY; KCHANNELL; MBEERS; APIYAKA DCHA/FFP JBORNS; JDWORKEN; SANTHONY; CMUTAMBA; DNELSON; AID/AFR/EA JESCALONA USUN FOR DMERCADO ROME FOR HSPANOS GENEVA FOR NKYLOH BRUSSELS FOR USEU JADDLETON; PBROWN NSC FOR CPRATT SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PHUM PREL PREF KE SUBJECT: USAID/OFDA COAST PROVINCE FLOODS ASSESSMENT REF: A) NAIROBI 2196 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (U) According to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), heavy rains from late October to early November resulted in flooding in Malindi, Magarini, Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa, and Tana Delta districts, Coast Province, killing at least four people and displacing more than 1,000 households. In response, USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) staff visited Coast Province from November 5 to 9 to assess flood- related damage, humanitarian needs, and ongoing response efforts. According to USAID/OFDA staff observations and discussions with humanitarian agencies, the floods mostly affected Magarini and Tana Delta districts, with Malindi, Kwale, Kilifi, and Mombasa districts sustaining limited damage and displacement. In all districts assessed, Government of Kenya (GoK) ministries, KRCS, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are meeting the basic needs of flood-affected populations through the provision of emergency food and relief supplies. USAID/OFDA continues to closely monitor the situation and maintains flexible programming mechanisms to facilitate rapid response to emergency situations if necessary. End summary. -------------- 2009 SHORT RAINS PROGRESS -------------- ¶2. (U) As a result of an El Nino weather phenomenon (Ref A),the Kenya Meteorological Department has projected normal to above-normal October to December short rains throughout Kenya, primarily in flood-prone parts of Nyanza, Western, North Eastern, Eastern, and Coast provinces. While humanitarian agencies expect enhanced rains to result in improvements in agriculture and food security in drought-affected areas, heavy rains would also likely result in flooding, reduced humanitarian access, increased disease among humans and animals, and crop damage. ¶3. (U) From October 28 to November 1, heavy rains in Malindi, Magarini, Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa, and Tana Delta districts, Coast Province, resulted in floods, �00A;displacing at least 1,000 households and destroying or damaging houses, latrines, and roads. In addition, floods washed away GoK-provided seeds, potentially negatively affecting short rains crop production. However, KRCS and GoK ministries note that floods have not resulted in significant increases in diseases or livestock deaths to date. As of November 6, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that most areas in Coast Province, including flood-prone districts, had received limited or no rain since November 1, and USAID/OFDA staff noted a lack of water remaining in most previously flood-affected districts, with the exception of Tana Delta District. -------------- TANA DELTA DISTRICT -------------- ¶4. (U) On November 5, USAID/OFDA staff visited the most-affected Tana Delta District--previously the southern part of Tana River District--to assess the humanitarian situation of flood-affected individuals. According to a World Vision rapid assessment, floods in Garsen and Tarassa divisions, Tana Delta District, displaced or affected an estimated 779 households, or approximately 4,674 people, as well as submerged houses and destroyed roads, preventing access to some affected areas. Of the affected population, KRCS estimates that floods displaced 485 households in Tana Delta District, with the majority of displaced individuals belonging to the pastoralist Orma ethic group. As the population is semi-nomadic, most Orma houses are semi-permanent and constructed out of woven mats and grass, making the houses vulnerable to heavy rains or floods. ¶5. (SBU) During the assessment, USAID/OFDA staff obsQved pools of water remaining in several low-lying areas of the district, particularly in locations surrounding Ortha sub-location. USAID/OFDA staff noted that water levels of approximately 4 to 5 feet in some areas have restricted access; however, populations continue to move between affected locations and areas on higher ground for assistance. (Note: During the assessment USAID/OFDA staff also visited the Tana River. Despite recent KRCS and media reports to the contrary, USAID/OFDA staff noted that the Tana River has not yet overflowed. USAID/OFDA staff note that water levels would have to rise by 13 to 15 feet before the river would overflow. (End Note) Displaced individuals are currently residing in camps in Tana Delta, where KRCS, NGOs, and GoK ministries have provided individuals with assistance, including blankets, tarps, food, kitchen sets, and water treatment tablets. -------------- MAGARINI DISTRICT -------------- ¶6. (U) In the newly-created Magarini District--formerly located in eastern Malindi District--USAID/OFDA staff met with KRCS, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) staff, NGOs, and flood-displaced individuals to discuss humanitarian conditions in displaced person camps. According to KRCS, floods in Magarini District killed two individuals and displaced an estimated 588 households to neighboring schools and other facilities, as well as destroyed a section of the Malindi-Garsen road. (Note: The road is currently passable by heavy-duty vehicle or foot. (End Note) To permit schools to resume classes, local organizations subsequently moved displaced individuals to four camps within the district. ¶7. (SBU) As of November 8, KRCS reported that an estimated 547 households resided in the four Magarini District camps, with 38 percent of displaced households residing in Kurawa camp. (Note: USAID/OFDA staff observed slightly lower numbers of households residing in the camps than the KRCS-reported figures. In addition, USAID/OFDA staff were unable to confirm whether households remained in the camps at night and returned in the morning to receive assistance or whether individuals remained permanently in the camps. (End Note) As the district has not received significant rainfall for more than 10 days and most areas are currently dry, local officials noted that individuals may return to areas of origin in the coming weeks, pending lack of further heavy rains. ¶8. (U) USAID/OFDA staff noted that populations within the camps are receiving a significant amount of support from UNICEF, through KRCS, and the GoK. Among the assistance provided to affected households, KRCS has distributed emergency food assistance and relief items, including 2,000 blankets, 300 tarps, 1,000 mosquito nets, 1,200 water containers, 300 buckets, 178 kitchen sets, and 4,400 water treatment tablets. To limit the spread of disease, the GoK Ministry of Public Health has also established mobile heath clinics and distributed water treatment tablets and medicines to affected individuals. -------------- MALINDI, KILIFI, MOMBASA, AND KWALE DISTRICTS -------------- ¶9. (U) In remaining flood-affected districts, USAID/OFDA staff observed limited flood damage and displacement, with most individuals returning to houses as water levels receded. According to local NGOs and GoK officials, water levels in the districts reached approximately 2 to 3 feet during early November, primarily due to limited drainage capacity and the location of houses in low-lying areas. However, as of November 9, USAID/OFDA staff noted little to no water remaining and variable damage to houses in flood- affected areas in Malindi, Kilifi, Mombasa, and Kwale districts. According to local NGOs and USAID/OFDA observations, floods primarily affected older, less permanent houses, with many houses remaining at least partially intact. Local NGOs report that flood-affected individuals have sought shelter with relatives or host families or remain in damaged houses. To date, local NGOs and GoK ministries have worked to support individuals in flood-affected districts. -------------- CONCLUSION -------------- ¶10. (U) Based on the assessment, USAID/OFDA staff note limited long-term flood damage and displacement within Coast District, and relief agencies expect the majority of displaced individuals to return to houses as flood waters continue to recede. However, humanitarian and GoK officials consistently highlighted that further heavy rains could create significant problems in areas already vulnerable due to previous floods, particularly if the Tana River overflows. ¶11. (U) At present, USAID/OFDA staff report a sufficient humanitarian response to floods in Coast Province. However, USAID/OFDA continues to maintain a robust network of implementing partners across Kenya capable of providing rapid, life-saving interventions in response to potential flooding and emergency situations, if required. USAID/OFDA staff continues to liaise with UN, NGO, and GoK agencies in Coast Province and other flood-affected areas and closely monitor the progression of the short rains season. RANNEBERGER